Inspection system and method of inspection

ABSTRACT

Provided is an inspection lighting device with which, even when changes in light that occur at respective feature points on an object to be inspected are small, the amounts of those changes in light can be determined across the entire field-of-view range, and the feature points can be detected under exactly the same conditions. The inspection lighting device  100  includes a surface light source  1  and a lens  2  that is disposed between the surface light source  1  and an inspection object W, the lens  2  being disposed nearer to the inspection object W such that at least one of a shielding mask M 1  and a filtering means F 1  is located centered around a focus position of the lens. An irradiation solid angle of light emitted from the surface light source  1  and irradiated onto the inspection object W by the lens  2  is configured to have solid angle regions that have specific optical attributes and that are radially arranged around an optical axis of the irradiation solid angle. The shapes, sizes, and incline angles of irradiation solid angles of the inspection light as well as solid angle regions having specific optical attributes within the irradiation solid angles can be set to be substantially uniform across the entire field of view in accordance with changes that occur at feature points on the inspection object.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lighting device for inspection for use in inspecting an appearance, damage, a defect or the like of a product by, for example, irradiating inspection light onto a product which is an inspection object. The invention relates also to an inspection system and an inspection method.

BACKGROUND ART

An example of an inspection lighting device for use in, for example, inspection of an appearance of a product is an inspection lighting device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, which is capable of irradiating light onto an inspection object while performing control to make the shapes and angles of irradiation solid angles of the light incident on the inspection object, as well as solid angle regions having different optical attributes within the irradiation solid angles substantially uniform.

Incidentally, there is demand for the ability to detect a feature point such as a defect that is difficult to detect even with an inspection lighting device such as that described above through a captured image thereof. More particularly, there are cases where, since a product to be inspected does not have the surface characteristics of a perfect mirror surface, precision control of the optical axis and the shape and the like of an irradiation solid angle for obtaining desired gradation information regarding a feature point on the inspection object surface is difficult, and even if the inspection light can be irradiated, significant contrast variation may occur depending on the position on the inspection object at which the feature point is present, making it difficult to identify the feature point. Moreover, there also are cases where, even when an object surface is a mirror surface, if the object surface has a feature point that has an extremely small incline or has a three-dimensional shape, the amount of change in light obtained from that feature information is extremely small, and accordingly the contrast in an image obtained from such a surface is also extremely small, thus making it difficult to identify the feature point.

To address the above-described cases, for example, it is conceivable to appropriately set irradiation solid angles for respective points on an object so that a change at a feature point that is desired to be extracted can be specified based on a change in an inclusive relation between a solid angle of object light that is returned from the object and an observation solid angle that is formed at each point on the object by an imaging optical system for observing the object light.

However, even if a change at a feature point can be realized as gradation of the object light returned from each point using the above-described method, there are cases where similar gradation information is present at another point, and whether that point is a desired feature point cannot be specified.

More specifically, due to a minute defect or the like on an inspection object, the optical axis of object light from various points on the object varies, and it is difficult to extract only a feature point at which the optical axis has a specific incline in a specific direction as gradation information. The reason for this is as follows. The inclusive relation between the solid angle of object light, in which the shape and the like of the irradiation solid angle is reflected, and the solid angle with which the object light is observed is eventually detected as only a change in the total amount of optical energy contained in that inclusive portion. Thus, first, when irradiation solid angles are homogenous, gradation information based on the inclusive relation is provided only by a change in incline of the optical axis, and therefore, if incline angles are equal in all directions of incline of the optical axis, equal gradations are obtained, and identification is impossible. On the other hand, even when irradiation solid angles are anisotropic, although gradation in a specific direction is obtained, it cannot be obtained in other directions, and therefore, at a feature point that cannot be extracted unless a detailed three-dimensional shape thereof is specified, it is difficult to generate a distinctive gradation at that feature point alone.

CITATION LIST Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5866586

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described state of the art, and it is an object thereof to provide an inspection lighting device, an inspection system, and an inspection method with which, even when a feature point such as a defect has a complex three-dimensional structure, and a change in reflection or scattering that occurs at that feature point is thus so composite that it cannot be isolated from other noise, the light amount within an observation solid angle of an imaging device can change by a certain amount, and therefore, details of such a minute feature point having no outstanding feature information can be detected, regardless of where the feature point, among points on an inspection object within an imaging area, is in a field of view.

Solution to Problem

That is to say, the present invention has been made based on a novel technical concept that, with a configuration in which the forms, such as the sizes, shapes, and inclines, of irradiation solid angles of inspection light emitted from an inspection lighting device can be made uniform, and, within each of the irradiation solid angles, the irradiation solid angle can be divided as desired, according to a factor of change in light other than the propagation direction, into, for example, regions having different wavelengths, polarization planes, light amounts, or the like, and what is more, this is adjustable, even a slight amount of change, or a change that is difficult to distinguish from other changes, in reflection or scattering caused by a minute defect or the like on an inspection object can be captured, with no directional dependency, as changes in the light amount in the individual divided regions having different wavelength bands, polarization planes, or light amounts within an observation solid angle of an imaging device, and thus, an image containing the change as contrast information can be obtained.

More specifically, an inspection lighting device of the present invention is an inspection lighting device configured to irradiate inspection light onto an inspection object and to be applied to an inspection system constituted by the inspection lighting device and an imaging device for imaging light reflected, transmitted, or scattered by the inspection object, that is, object light returned from an object, the inspection lighting device including: a surface light source configured for emitting inspection light; a lens disposed between the surface light source and the inspection object and configured to form on the inspection object an irradiation solid angle of light emitted from the surface light source and irradiated onto the inspection object as inspection light; and at least one of a first shielding mask and a first filtering means disposed between the surface light source and the lens and in front of or behind a focus position of the lens, centered around the focus position, the first shielding mask being configured to form an irradiation solid angle of the inspection light irradiated onto each point on the inspection object by shielding light, and the first filtering means being configured to divide the inspection light into solid angle regions as desired, the solid angle regions having partially different optical attributes for light having different wavelength bands, different polarization planes, or light having different light amounts. With respect to an observation solid angle that is formed at each point on the inspection object when the imaging device images light from the inspection object, in order that a desired change in contrast at each point can be obtained for each of the solid angle regions having different optical attributes, that is, having different wavelength bands, different polarization planes, or different light amounts, the shape, size, or incline of the entire irradiation solid angle, as well as the solid angle regions having different optical attributes within the irradiation solid angle are set such that all changes in an inclusive relation between a solid angle of object light returned from the object based on that irradiation solid angle and the observation solid angle can be continuously obtained as information in which changes in brightness of light rays having different optical properties are combined. The present invention provides such an inspection lighting and an inspection system, as well as an inspection method.

Moreover, the inspection lighting device further includes at least one of a second shielding mask and a fourth filtering means, the fourth filtering means transmitting only light having a specific attribute, at a position between the surface light source and the first shielding mask and in the vicinity of a position at which the at least one of the second shielding mask and the fourth filtering means is imaged onto the inspection object by the lens, wherein an irradiation area or an irradiation pattern of the inspection light irradiated onto the inspection object can be generated as desired by using the second shielding mask or the fourth filtering means.

With the inspection method, the inspection system, and the inspection lighting device described above, the lens and the first shielding mask or the first filtering means form substantially uniform irradiation solid angles of inspection light irradiated onto the inspection object at respective points thereon and form the above-described solid angle regions having different optical attributes, such as different wavelength bands or polarization planes, or light amounts, as desired, and furthermore, the lens and the second shielding mask or the fourth filtering means irradiate the inspection light onto only a required portion of the inspection object or form an irradiation area of the inspection light with regions having any desired optical attributes. Thus, regardless of the direction in which the inclusive relation between the solid angle of object light returned from the object and the observation solid angle changes and regardless of the amount of the change, the change can be identified, and gradation information that is sufficient to extract a minute feature point that has a complex three-dimensional shape on the inspection object can be obtained.

This can be expressed in a different manner as follows. In the case where, for example, an ordinary lighting device having a surface light source or the like is used, the shape and the incline of the irradiation solid angle at each point on the inspection object are determined by the relation between that point on the prosecution object and the shape of the light source face of the lighting device, and therefore, it is difficult to obtain uniform inspection light. In addition, with the inspection lighting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, even though the shapes and the inclines of irradiation solid angles at respective points on the inspection object can be set to be substantially uniform, a minute feature point that has a complex three-dimensional shape on the inspection object cannot be extracted unless solid angle regions having a plurality of optical attributes within a solid angle of object light returned from each point on the inspection object, the solid angle regions resulting from the solid angle regions having a plurality of optical attributes formed within an irradiation solid angle and being formed in a similar manner within the solid angle of the object light, continuously change from one to another, in terms of an inclusive relation with the observation solid angle. However, according to the present invention, the shapes and the inclines of irradiation solid angles at respective points on the inspection object can be made substantially uniform, and moreover, the inside of each irradiation solid angle can be divided into appropriate solid angle regions having different optical attributes, that is, having different wavelength bands or polarization planes, or light amounts, and thus, regardless of the direction in which the inclusive relation with the observation solid angle changes, such changes can be continuously captured as the amounts of changes generated by the changes in inclusive relations of the plurality of solid angle regions with the observation solid angle.

Furthermore, in order that even when the intensity or the direction of reflected light, transmitted light, or scattered light changes slightly due to a minute defect or the like on the inspection object, the changed portion can cause a change in the light amount in each of the solid angle regions having different optical attributes and having respective inclusive relations with the inside of the observation solid angle of the imaging device, the shape and angle of the irradiation solid angle of the inspection light irradiated onto each point on the inspection object can be appropriately set in relation to the size, shape, and angle of the observation solid angle of the imaging device and can be appropriately set in accordance with the surface characteristics at the feature point on the object surface, using the first shielding mask or the first filtering means Therefore, a minute defect or the like can be easily detected, or conversely can be kept from being detected.

Moreover, irradiation solid angles can be formed in various forms including, for example, a form in which, in the irradiation solid angle at each point on an inspection object, only the central portion constitutes a dark area, and only the peripheral portion constitutes a bright area, and also the inside of the irradiation solid angle can be configured such that the solid angle regions having different optical attributes are formed so as to continuously change from one to another in their inclusive relations with the observation solid angle in any direction. With such configurations, it is possible to image only scattered light by preventing reflected light and transmitted light from the inspection object from entering the observation solid angle of the imaging device, and it is possible to observe a change in the propagation direction of the reflected light or the transmitted light from the inspection object as contrast information at each point on the inspection object so that changes in the inclusive relation between the reflected light or the transmitted light and the observation solid angle in any direction can be extracted for each direction. Furthermore, when the imaging device includes a second filtering means that enables selective imaging of the solid angle regions having different optical attributes within the irradiation solid angle that are reflected in the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light, it is possible to capture a change that occurs at a feature point on the inspection object for each of the solid angle regions that are set as desired. Thus, inspection light can be irradiated at irradiation solid angles in appropriate forms that are suited to various inspection objects or minute changes in light that occur at various feature points to be detected.

To realize the second filtering means herein, in the imaging device, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the reflected light or the transmitted light from the inspection object is selectively separated for each of the different optical attributes, and then the resultant light amounts are individually imaged by an optical sensor, or a filter that selectively transmits only light having a specific optical attribute, of the different optical attributes, may be provided for each pixel of the optical sensor.

In the case where inspection light having substantially uniform irradiation solid angles according to the present invention is irradiated onto the inspection object, in order to enable capturing of even a slight change in the solid angle of reflected light or transmitted light that occurs when the reflection direction or the transmission direction is changed due to a defect or the like, the relation between the irradiation solid angle of the inspection light at the point of that change and the observation solid angle of the imaging device can be adjusted with respect to the shapes, angles, and sizes thereof such that a change in light amount within the observation solid angle corresponding to the change in the solid angle is maximized, and any other changes are minimized. Thus, only the change in the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light can be selectively captured. Moreover, if any desired solid angle regions having different optical attributes are further set appropriately within the irradiation solid angle, changes in light amount in the respective solid angle regions can be observed simultaneously, so that, to address changes in light at various feature points having complex three-dimensional structures on the inspection object, changes in light corresponding to changes in various directions of each three-dimensional structure can be continuously captured. Therefore, although it is extremely difficult for a conventional lighting device, with which the shape, angle, and size of irradiation solid angles of inspection light differ at different points on the inspection object surface, to capture a slight change in light caused by a minute defect or the like that has a complex three-dimensional structure as described above, and even the description of the inspection lighting disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes no mention of a solid angle structure with which changes in the inclusive relations between the observation solid angle and a plurality of solid angle regions that are contained in a solid angle of the object light and that have different optical attributes can be detected in any direction in which the inclusive relations are generated. However, with the lighting device according to the present invention, changes in inclusive relations in any direction can be captured as continuous varying gradations.

In order to control the sizes of irradiation solid angles of inspection light irradiated onto respective points on the inspection object so as to be substantially uniform, and to enable adjustment of the incline distribution of the irradiation solid angles with respect to the center of the optical axis, the first shielding mask and/or the first filtering means, or the third filtering means that integrates the functions of both, can be disposed at a position in front of or behind the focus position of the lens, centered around the focus position. In the following description, the first shielding mask, the first filtering means, and the third filtering means are represented by the first shielding mask. That is to say, irradiation solid angles at respective points on the inspection object can each be set to have a desired shape or size by changing the aperture of the first shielding mask. Also, if the first shielding mask is disposed at the focus position of the lens, all of the optical axes of the irradiation solid angles of the inspection light become parallel to the optical axis of the inspection light; if the first shielding mask is disposed nearer to the lens than the focus position of the lens, the irradiation solid angles of the inspection light can be inclined in a direction in which the inspection light widens; and if the first shielding mask is disposed outward of the focus position of the lens, the irradiation solid angles of the inspection light can be inclined in a direction in which the inspection light narrows. As described above, irradiation solid angles of the inspection light that have a direct effect on the solid angles of reflected light or transmitted light from the inspection object can be adjusted in various manners by changing the position and the aperture of the first shielding mask, and thus, the relation between the inspection object and the observation solid angle of the imaging device for observing reflected light, transmitted light, or scattered light from the inspection object can be optimized to obtain desired contrast information. That is to say, with the above-described configuration, even when an observation optical system that is used is not a telecentric optical system but rather an optical system in which the incline of the optical axis of the observation solid angle varies on an outer side and at the center of the optical axis within a field-of-view range, the irradiation solid angle and the observation solid angle at every point in the entire field of view can be set in a regular reflection direction.

Furthermore, with regard to the above-described solid angle regions having different optical attributes, which are set as desired within an irradiation solid angle, solid angle regions can further be set as desired within each of the irradiation solid angles that are set to be uniform on the inspection object. Thus, not only the brightness at each point on the inspection object is determined simply by the relation between the irradiation solid angle and the observation solid angle, but also even slighter changes in light in the individual solid angle regions can be observed simultaneously as changes in the relation with the observation solid angle under substantially the same conditions for all the points in the field-of-view range on the inspection object, without the need to separately reset the relation between the irradiation solid angle and the observation solid angle with respect to their shapes, optical axes, and the like.

Therefore, in the inspection lighting device according to the present invention, and the inspection system that uses the inspection lighting device and that also includes the imaging device for imaging light reflected, transmitted, or scattered by the inspection object, desired contrast information with respect to a minute feature point having a complex three-dimensional shape can be continuously obtained with respect to inclines of that three-dimensional shape in any direction for the following reasons. Given that the contrast at each point on the inspection object is determined by the light amount of reflected light, transmitted light, or scattered light toward the imaging device from that point on the inspection object, and the light amount is in turn determined by the inclusive relation between the solid angle of the reflected light, transmitted light, or scattered light from that point on the inspection object and the observation solid angle of the imaging device, the inspection lighting device and hence the inspection system have the function of adjusting irradiation solid angles, which have a direct effect on reflected light or transmitted light from respective points on the inspection object, of the inspection light so as to be substantially uniform, and furthermore, the inside of each irradiation solid angle is divided into any desired solid angle regions having different optical attributes, that is, different wavelength bands or polarization planes, or light amounts, and those solid angle regions are radially arranged around the optical axis of the irradiation solid angle, so that the imaging device can selectively observe the light amount for each divided region, and regardless of the direction in which the optical axis of object light returned from each point on the inspection object is inclined relative to the optical axis of the observation solid angle, the imaging device can capture both the direction of incline and the degree of incline as continuous changes in perfume for each of the plurality of divided regions that have different optical attributes.

In order that contrast information regarding the inspection object that is imaged by the imaging device exhibits substantially uniform changes across the entire imaging area, the inclusive relations between the observation solid angles that are formed at respective points on the inspection object by the imaging device and the solid angles of reflected light, transmitted light, or scattered light from the respective points on the inspection object have to be kept substantially uniform. This can be realized by moving the first shielding mask and/or the first filtering means, or the third filtering means, to a position in front of or behind the focus position of the lens, centered around the focus position, thereby adjusting the shapes and sizes of irradiation solid angles of the inspection light and solid angle regions formed within the individual irradiation solid angles so as to be substantially uniform and also adjusting the incline angles so as to be included in the inclines of the observation solid angles at the respective points on the inspection object.

Also, in order to make it possible to generate an irradiation area, an irradiation shape, or an irradiation pattern as desired while keeping substantially uniform relations between irradiation solid angles of the inspection light incident on the inspection object and solid angle regions that are formed as desired within each irradiation solid angle with observation solid angles for respective points within the irradiation area, in addition to the at least one of the first shielding mask and the first filtering means, or the third filtering means, at least one of the second shielding mask and the fourth filtering means can be provided and disposed in the vicinity of a position at which the second shielding mask and/or the fourth filtering means is imaged onto the inspection object by the lens. With this configuration, while keeping substantially uniform shapes, sizes, and inclines of the irradiation solid angles of the inspection light and the solid angle regions that are formed as desired within the irradiation solid angles, it is possible to independently adjust both the irradiation area of the inspection light on the inspection object and the optical attributes of that irradiation area as well as the irradiation solid angles of the inspection light at respective points on the inspection object and the solid angle regions having specific optical attributes.

In order to make it possible to easily inspect the three-dimensional shape and the like of the inspection object as well, in addition to the first shielding mask and the first filtering means, or the third filtering means, the second shielding mask in which a predetermined mask pattern is formed and the fourth filtering means can be used, and the pattern can be imaged onto the inspection object. With this configuration, due to substantially uniform irradiation solid angles and solid angle regions having specific optical attributes, which are adjusted by using the first shielding mask and the first filtering means, the imaging device can obtain contrast information that exhibits uniform changes in contrast, and if there is any problem with the shape of the inspection object, distortion occurs in the pattern that is obtained as the contrast information by the imaging device, so that the defect in shape can be easily detected.

If the shape, size, and incline of the solid angle of reflected light or transmitted light at each point on the inspection object are made to substantially coincide with those of the observation solid angle that is formed at that point on the inspection object by the imaging device, even a minute feature point that is present on the inspection object, if any, results in a change in the inclusive relation between the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light and the observation solid angle, so that a change in contrast information with respect to that minute feature point can be obtained. The rate of change in contrast information based on a change in the inclusive relation can be controlled by appropriately setting the sizes of the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light and the observation solid angle. However, without any further processing, merely limited contrast information that depends on the size of the two solid angles can be obtained. To address this issue, solid angle regions having different wavelength bands, polarization planes, or light amounts are formed as desired within the irradiation solid angle at each point on the inspection object. Then, those solid angle regions are reflected in the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light at that point on the inspection object as solid angle regions having different wavelength bands, polarization planes, or light amounts. Thus, if a change in contrast information with respect to a feature point is based on the inclusive relations between the observation solid angle and the solid angle regions that are reflected in the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light, minute amounts of change in the respective solid angle regions can be detected simultaneously

This can be realized by two approaches: one of these approaches is a configuration in which a half mirror for changing the irradiation direction of the inspection light and transmitting light from the inspection object so as to be imaged by the imaging device is provided, and an optical axis of an observation solid angle of the imaging device at each point on the inspection object and an optical axis of a solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light emitted from that point are made to substantially coincide with each other by appropriately adjusting an irradiation solid angle of the inspection light at that point on the inspection object, and the other approach is a configuration in which an observation solid angle of the imaging device is set in a direction that is line symmetrical to the irradiation direction of the inspection light with respect to a normal line to the inspection object, and the optical axis of the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light from each point on the inspection object and the optical axis of an observation solid angle of the imaging device at that point on the inspection object are made to substantially coincide with each other.

Furthermore, if the imaging device includes the second filtering means, which enables selective imaging of light in solid angle regions that are reflected in the solid angle of the reflected light or the transmitted light and that have different wavelength bands, polarization planes, or light amounts, possible changes in contrast that may occur based on the inclusive relations of the individual solid angle regions with the observation solid angle can be detected simultaneously.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the inspection lighting device and the inspection system of the present invention, it is possible to freely adjust the sizes and forms of irradiation solid angles of inspection light irradiated onto respective points on an inspection object and dark areas thereof as well as solid angle regions that are formed within each irradiation solid angle and that have different wavelength bands, polarization planes, or light amounts. Thus, inclusive relations of solid angles of reflected light, transmitted light, or scattered light from respective points on the inspection object, that is, object light returned from an object, and solid angle regions that have different wavelength bands, polarization planes, or light amounts and that are reflected in those solid angles with observation solid angles that are formed at the respective points on the inspection object by the imaging device can be set to be substantially uniform. Therefore, even in the case of a minute defect or the like that has a complex three-dimensional structure and that has conventionally been difficult to detect, a change in the incline of the optical axis of the object light caused by that three-dimensional structure can be detected such that, regardless of the direction in which the optical axis is inclined, both the direction of incline and the degree of incline can be detected as changes in the amounts of a plurality of light rays having different optical attributes, based on changes in the inclusive relations of the observation solid angle, the solid angle of the object light and the solid angle regions that are reflected in the solid angle and that have different wavelength bands, polarization planes, or light amounts with the observation angle that is formed at each point on the inspection object by the imaging device. Furthermore, regardless of where the defect is in the inspection field of view, the defect can be detected under substantially the same conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of an inspection lighting device and an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an inner structure of a main portion for forming an irradiation solid angle of the inspection lighting device and the inspection system of the embodiment, and irradiation solid angles at respective points on an inspection object.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the inner structure of the main portion for forming an irradiation solid angle of the inspection lighting device and the inspection system of the embodiment, with the inspection object being placed inclined, also showing irradiation solid angles at respective points on the inspection object.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a first shielding mask and a first filtering means as well as a third filtering means.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a structure of an inspection lighting device and an inspection system for conventional lighting use, and irradiation solid angles at respective points on an inspection object.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a structure of a main portion for forming an irradiation solid angle of an inspection lighting device and an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and irradiation solid angles at respective points on an inspection object.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a structure of an inspection lighting device and an inspection system according to an embodiment in which a second shielding mask and a fourth filtering means are additionally provided, and irradiation solid angles at respective points on an inspection object.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a main portion for forming an irradiation solid angle of an inspection lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and irradiation solid angles at respective points on an inspection object, with the distance from the inspection object of an inspection system being used as a parameter.

FIG. 9 schematically shows irradiation solid angles at respective points on an inspection object, with the size of an aperture of the first shielding mask of an inspection lighting device and an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention being used as a parameter.

FIG. 10 shows relations of a change in solid angle of reflected light due to a partial incline of the inspection object with an irradiation solid angle and an observation solid angle.

FIG. 11 shows relations of a change in solid angle of reflected light due to a partial incline of the inspection object with an irradiation solid angle and an observation solid angle when the irradiation solid angle contains solid angle regions having different optical attributes.

FIG. 12 shows a comparison between conventional lighting and lighting according to the present invention in terms of irradiation solid angles.

FIG. 13 shows examples of the shape of the irradiation solid angle that may be set according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

An inspection system 200 constituted by an inspection lighting device 100 of the first embodiment and an imaging device C is configured to provide a so-called coaxial lighting arrangement using a half mirror 4 for providing agreement between an imaging direction of an inspection object W and a lighting direction of the inspection object W, and is used to cause a feature point such as a defect that is present on the inspection object W to appear as a contrast in an image captured by the imaging device C. It should be noted that, in FIGS. 2 and 5 through 8, a case with a half mirror is indicated by dotted lines, whereas a case without a half mirror is indicated by solid lines. Moreover, a first filter F1 serves as a means for selectively transmitting light having a specific attribute and forming a solid angle region composed of the light having that attribute. In terms of the effect of forming a solid angle, the first filter F1 is equivalent to a first shielding mask M1, which forms an irradiation solid angle by shielding or transmitting light. Thus, in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 9, the first filter F1 and the first shielding mask M1, as well as a third filtering means F3, which is a single component into which the functions of both the first filter F1 and the first shielding mask M1 are integrated, are represented by the first shielding mask M1, and only the reference numerals F1 and F3 are shown along with M1. Here, the “feature point” such as a defect on the inspection object W is to be understood to include a broad range of defects such as a scratch, a dent, a distortion on the surface, a defect in the external shape, and the presence/absence of a hole and other types of features.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1 and the schematic diagram of FIG. 2, the inspection lighting device 100 has a substantially tubular housing. Inside this housing and in portions leading to the inspection object W and the imaging device C, there are formed an irradiation light path L1 for irradiating inspection light from a surface light source 1 onto the inspection object W, and a reflection/transmission light path L2 along which light reflected or transmitted by the inspection object W travels to the imaging device C. In the case where the half mirror 4 is provided, the imaging device C is mounted to a top opening side of the housing, and the inspection object W is placed on a bottom opening side of the housing.

It should be noted that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the case where the half mirror 4 is provided, the irradiation light path L1 is constituted by a portion extending from the surface light source 1 to the half mirror 4 and a portion along which the light partially reflected by the half mirror reaches the inspection object.

On the other hand, in the case where the half mirror 4 is not provided, the inspection light is directly irradiated onto the inspection object along the irradiation light path L1, and in the example shown in FIG. 2, a light path along which transmitted light from the inspection object W reaches the imaging device C constitutes the light path L2.

On the irradiation light path L1, in the order of traveling of the inspection light, there are disposed the surface light source 1 for emitting the inspection light, at least one of the first shielding mask M1 and the first filtering means disposed at a position in front of or behind a focus position of a lens 2, centered around the focus position, or instead, the third filtering means F3 having the functions of both the first shielding mask M1 and the first filtering means, and the lens 2 configured to form an irradiation solid angle on the inspection object W from the inspection light emitted from the surface light source 1. In the case where a half mirror is provided, in addition to the above components, the half mirror 4 is disposed inclined relative to the reflection/transmission light path L2 and the irradiation light path L1 so as to partially reflect the inspection light downwards. Moreover, in the case where a second shielding mask and a fourth filtering means for forming an irradiation area of the inspection light are provided, at least one of the second shielding mask M2 and the fourth filtering means for forming an irradiation area having a specific optical attribute is provided between the surface light source 1 and the first shielding mask and the first filtering means, or between the surface light source 1 and the third filtering means, and in the vicinity of the position at which the second shielding mask M2 and/or the fourth filtering means is imaged onto the inspection object W by the lens 2, and the inspection light is irradiated onto the inspection object W. Specific functions provided by the second shielding mask if provided will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

Moreover, in the case where a half mirror is provided, the half mirror 4 is provided on the reflection/transmission light path L2, so that the reflected light partially transmitted by this half mirror 4 is observed by the imaging device C. In the case where no half mirror is provided, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the light path along which the transmitted light from the inspection object W travels to reach the imaging device C constitutes the light path L2. No other component than the half mirror 4 is present on the light path L2 in FIGS. 1 and 2; however, depending on the circumstances, a mask, an aperture stop, or the like for partially shielding the reflected or transmitted light from the inspection object may also be provided on the light path L2 for the purpose of shutting out stray light from the inspection object.

Next, layouts, arrangements, and functions of the various members will be described in detail.

The surface light source 1 has a light-emitting face 11 that has a substantially uniform diffuser face formed by a chip type LED, a diffusion plate, or the like, for example. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the surface light source 1 is mounted in such a manner that it can advance and retract in the direction of the optical axis of the irradiation light inside the tubular housing so as to enable adjustment of the irradiation starting position for the inspection light. In this manner, independent of control of irradiation solid angles, and solid angle regions having different optical attributes that are formed as desired within the irradiation solid angles, by the first shielding mask M1 and/or the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3 having the functions of both thereof, and control of the irradiation area by the second shielding mask, which will be described later, it is possible to control the degree of uniformity, the luminance distribution, and the like of the inspection light on the inspection object W, with respect to the light path of the inspection light that is determined by the positional relations among the first shielding mask M1 and/or the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3 having the functions of both thereof, the second shielding mask M2, the lens 2, and the surface light source 1. Since the irradiation light path differs depending on the irradiation area, if, for example, the surface light source 1 is preset with a predetermined luminance distribution, emission light wavelength distribution, polarization characteristics distribution, or the like, such distribution can be changed depending on the irradiation area or can be made uniform.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second shielding mask M2 and/or the fourth filtering means are mounted in such a manner that they can advance and retract in the direction of the optical axis of the irradiation light inside the tubular housing, so that, in accordance with the distance between the lens 2 and the inspection object, the second shielding mask itself can be adjusted to be in the vicinity of a position at which it is imaged onto the inspection object. With this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 7, the irradiation light from the surface light source 1 can be partially shielded, or only light having a specific attribute can be shielded, and the shape of the aperture of the second shielding mask or the shape of a portion of the fourth filter that transmits only light having a specific attribute is substantially imaged onto the inspection object W. Thus, by changing the shape and size of the aperture of the second shielding mask M2 or the pattern shape of the fourth filtering means, the irradiation area of the inspection light or the irradiation area to be irradiated with light having a specific attribute, on the inspection object W, can be set as desired. Moreover, this adjustment or setting can be carried out independently of the control of the irradiation solid angle by the first shielding mask M1 and the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3 having the functions of both thereof, which will be described later.

The first shielding mask M1 and/or the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3, which has the functions of both thereof, is disposed at a position between the lens 2 and the surface light source and in front of or behind the focus position of the lens 2, centered around the focus position, and is mounted such that they can advance and retract in the direction of the optical axis of the irradiation light inside the tubular housing as shown in FIG. 1. Here, taking the first shielding mask M1 as a representative example of the first shielding mask M1 and the first filtering means F1 as well as the third filtering means F3, which has the functions of both thereof, if the first shielding mask M1 is disposed at the focus position of the lens 2, for example, all irradiation solid angles IS at respective points on the inspection object W have the same size, shape, and incline angle as shown in FIG. 2. The same holds true for the case where the points on the inspection object are at different distances from the lens 2 as shown in FIG. 3. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the same holds true regardless of the presence or absence of the half mirror 4 and regardless of the distance between the inspection object W and the lens 2. The foregoing description that has been given taking the first shielding mask M1 as a representative example also applies to the solid angle regions that are formed by the first filtering means F1 and the third filtering means F3, which has the functions of both the first shielding mask M1 and the first filtering means F1.

Next, a case where the first shielding mask M1 and/or the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3, which has the functions of both thereof, is located in front of or behind the focus position of the lens 2 will be described taking the first filtering means F1 as a representative example.

As shown in FIG. 9(a), first, when the first shielding mask M1 is located in the vicinity of the focus position with an extremely small transmitting portion, irradiation solid angles are approximately 0, when the first shielding mask M1 is located nearer to the lens 2 than the focus position of the lens 2, the light path of the inspection light is inclined so as to flare out gradually from the center of the optical axis as indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 9(a), and when the first shielding mask M1 is located nearer to the surface light source 1 than the focus position of the lens 2, the light path of the inspection light is inclined so as to converge at the center of the optical axis as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 9(a). On the other hand, the shapes and sizes of the irradiation solid angles of the inspection light at respective points on the inspection object are uniformly determined by the shape and size of the aperture of the first shielding mask M1 as shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c). Independent of this, the incline of the irradiation solid angles can be controlled by controlling the position of the first shielding mask M1.

P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. 9 denote respective points at distances indicating the object-side focus positions of the lens 2. Only light that is directed by the lens 2 to travel along a light path that is parallel to the optical axis of the light irradiated from the surface light source 1 passes through at least the point P1. If the aperture of this light path that is determined by the first shielding mask M1 has a diameter “r”, for example, the irradiation solid angle at the point P1 is uniquely determined by only the focal length “f” of the lens 2 and the diameter “r” of the aperture, as shown at the bottom in FIG. 9. Ideally, the same holds true for the points P2 and P3, which are located at the same distance from the lens as the point P1. Moreover, at arbitrary points P4 and P5 that are located farther than the focal length of the lens 2 as well, all of the irradiation solid angles ideally have the same shape and the same size as the irradiation solid angle at the point P1.

With regard to the first shielding mask M1, the first filtering means F1, and the third filtering means F3, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, a shielding portion M1 that substantially shields light forms an aperture having any desired shape. Although an example in which a peripheral portion constitutes the shielding portion and a central portion constitutes the aperture is shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the aperture may further constitute a shielding portion. Moreover, the shielding portion may also be a portion that shields only light having a specific attribute. Furthermore, in FIG. 4, the first filtering means F1 is set within the aperture of the shielding portion M1, and here, three types of patterns F11, F12, and F13 for forming respective solid angle regions with different optical attributes are set therein. Although the patterns shown here are radial patterns around the optical axis, the patterns may also be optimized to any pattern in accordance with a feature point of interest on the inspection object. A single component into which the first shielding mask M1 and the first filtering means F1 are integrated corresponds to the third filtering means F3.

With use of the first shielding mask M1 and/or the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3, which are shown in FIG. 4, an irradiation solid angle IS can be formed with respect to a single point P on the inspection object W as shown in FIG. 11, for example. The outermost shape of the irradiation solid angle IS is determined by the aperture at the central portion of the first shielding mask M1. Furthermore, within this irradiation solid angle, solid angle regions IS1, IS2, and IS3 having different optical attributes are formed by the first filtering means F1, the solid angle regions IS1, IS2, and IS3 corresponding to the mask patterns F11, F12, and F13, respectively, of the first filtering means F1.

In contrast to the above-described lighting arrangement of the present invention that is capable of forming substantially uniform irradiation solid angles, in the case of a conventional lighting arrangement that uses only an ordinary light source surface, as shown in FIG. 5, irradiation solid angles IS of the inspection light have different shapes, sizes, and inclines at different points on the inspection object W. This is because the irradiation solid angle IS at each point on the inspection object W is uniquely determined by the projection shape, size, and angle of the surface light source 1 when viewed from that point in the opposite direction to the lighting direction. On the other hand, the observation solid angle OS at each point on the inspection object is determined based on the relation between the pupil position, the pupil shape, and the pupil size of the imaging device C and that point on the inspection object. The brightness at each point that is detected by the imaging device C is determined by an inclusive relation between a solid angle RS of reflected light or a solid angle TS of transmitted light, which directly reflects the irradiation solid angle IS at that point, and the observation solid angle OS. In FIG. 5, this inclusive relation differs from location to location, and it can be seen that, if changes in solid angles RS of reflected light or solid angles TS of transmitted light are small, it is difficult to obtain the same amounts of change in light at respective points in the inspection area.

In general, the degree of incline of an observation solid angle other than the principal optical axis is determined by the characteristics of an imaging optical system, and changes concentrically from the principal optical axis, due to the properties of ordinary lenses. For such an imaging optical system, in order to obtain a uniform change in light, in particular, a uniform amount of change with respect to a change in the incline of the solid angle of reflected or transmitted light at each point on the inspection object, the incline of the irradiation solid angle of the inspection light on the inspection object can be changed concentrically relative to the principal optical axis, and in this manner, a constant relation between the irradiation solid angle and the observation solid angle can be maintained at each point.

FIG. 6 shows the inspection system 200 that uses a portion of the inspection lighting device100 of the first embodiment according to the present invention and that is constituted by the imaging device C. In this inspection system 200, with respect to the observation solid angles OS that are formed by the imaging device C at respective points on the inspection object, the position of the first shielding mask M1 and/or the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3, is set shifted from the focus position of the lens 2, thereby making the optical axis of the solid angle RS of reflected light or the solid angle TS of transmitted light that directly reflects the irradiation solid angle IS at each point on the inspection object W coincide with the optical axis of the observation solid angle OS at that point. In this manner, when the solid angle RS of reflected light or the solid angle TS of transmitted light at each point on the inspection object W changes, this change can be captured as a change in the inclusive relation with the observation solid angle OS, that is, a change in brightness at each point, with the same rate of change at each point. At this time, if the imaging optical system is a telecentric optical system in which all of the optical axes of the observation solid angles OS, which are formed by the imaging device C, at respective points on the inspection object extend in the same direction, setting the position of the first shielding mask M1 and/or the first filtering means F1, or the third filtering means F3, at the focus position of the lens 2 and thereby orienting all of the optical axes of irradiation solid angles IS to be formed in the same direction makes it possible for the optical axes of the irradiation solid angles IS to coincide with the optical axes of the observation solid angles OS at the respective points on the inspection object W.

Here, the inclusive relation between the irradiation solid angle and the observation solid angle as well as brightness information obtained by the imaging device will be described using FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10(a), attention is paid to a point P on the inspection object W, and assuming that inspection light having an irradiation solid angle IS is irradiated onto the point P, how the brightness of the point P changes when a surface of the inspection object that contains the point P is partially inclined by φ is shown. More specifically, when a solid angle RS of reflected light from the point P changes to a solid angle RS′ relative to an observation solid angle OS that is formed at the point P by the imaging device C, how the relation between the solid angles changes is shown.

In FIG. 10(a), the shapes and sizes of the solid angles RS and RS′ of reflected light from the point P are equal to those of the irradiation solid angle IS of the inspection light incident on the point P. Also, with regard to the incline of the solid angle RS of the reflected light, the solid angle RS is inclined from a normal line to the point P by an angle equal to the incline θ of the irradiation solid angle IS of the inspection light in a direction in which the solid angle RS and the irradiation solid angle IS of the inspection light are line symmetrical with respect to the normal line. At this time, if the optical axis of the observation solid angle OS that is formed at the point P by the imaging device C coincides with the optical axis of the solid angle RS of the reflected light, and the size of the observation solid angle OS is smaller than that of the solid angle RS of the reflected light, the brightness of the point P that is detected by the imaging device C is limited by the size of that observation solid angle OS and does not change even when the solid angle RS of the reflected light is inclined, as long as the above-described inclusive relation remains unchanged. However, it is assumed that the optical energies within the irradiation solid angle IS and the solid angles RS and RS′ of the reflected light are uniformly distributed within the respective solid angles.

Next, in FIG. 10(a), a case where the surface of the inspection object W that contains the point P is partially inclined by φ is considered. In this case, the solid angle RS of reflected light from the point P will be inclined by 2φ like the solid angle RS′ indicated by the dotted lines in the diagram. At this time, if the solid angle RS′ of reflected light from the point P does not have an inclusive relation with the observation solid angle OS that is formed at the point P by the imaging device C, the brightness of the point P when seen from the imaging device C is 0. However, if the solid angle RS′ has a partial inclusive relation with the observation solid angle OS that is formed at the point P by the imaging device C, light that is contained in a solid angle portion where the solid angle RS′ and the observation solid angle OS overlap each other is reflected in the brightness of the point P. That is to say, if the half plane angle of the solid angle RS′ of light reflected from the point P is larger than the angle obtained by subtracting the half plane angle of the observation solid angle OS from the incline angle 2φ of the reflected light and smaller than the sum of the half plane angle of the observation solid angle OS and the incline angle 2φ of the reflected light, the brightness of the point P changes in accordance with the incline angle 2φ of the reflected light. However, if the half plane angle of the irradiation solid angle IS is larger than the sum of the half plane angle of the observation solid angle OS and the incline angle 2φ of the reflected light that is generated by the partial incline of the inspection object W, the brightness of the point P remains unchanged. Moreover, if the half plane angle of the observation solid angle OS is larger than the sum of the incline angle 2φ of the reflected light and the half plane angle of the solid angle RS of the reflected light, the brightness of the point P also remains unchanged. This shows that the brightness of the point P is determined eventually by the inclusive relation between the solid angle RS of the reflected light from the point P and the observation solid angle OS at the point P and that a change in the brightness of the point P can be controlled by setting the relation between the irradiation solid angle IS of the inspection light irradiated onto the point P and the observation solid angle OS at the point P in terms of their shapes, sizes, and inclines.

FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane containing the irradiation optical axis of the inspection light, the normal line to the point P, and the optical axis of the reflected light from the point P in FIG. 10(a). The inclines of the elements and the inclusive relation thereof can be more quantitatively seen from this diagram. It should be noted, however, that FIG. 10(b) illustrates a case in which the observation solid angle OS is larger than the irradiation solid angle IS, that is, the solid angle RS of the reflected light. If the inspection object W is inclined, and the solid angle RS of the reflected light from the point P thus changes to the solid angle RS′ indicated by the dotted lines, the inclusive relation with the observation solid angle OS is no longer present in this diagram, and the optical energy within the observation solid angle OS becomes 0. Accordingly, even when light contained in this observation solid angle OS is converged again at the point for imaging, the point P is seen as being totally black. However, in this case as well, generating an inclusive relation between the solid angle RS of the reflected light and the observation solid angle OS by adjusting the relation between the irradiation solid angle IS and the observation solid angle OS allows the brightness of the point P to change in accordance with a change in the size of the overlapping portion between the solid angle RS and the observation solid angle OS.

In FIG. 10(b), when the observation solid angle OS has the same shape and size as the irradiation solid angle IS and the same incline as the solid angle RS of the reflected light from the point P, if the inspection object W is inclined even slightly from this state, the overlapping portion between the observation solid angle OS and the solid angle RS of the reflected light decreases at least by an amount corresponding to the amount of this incline, and the brightness of the point P as seen via the observation solid angle OS changes accordingly. Moreover, the smaller the solid angles, the larger the amount of change in the brightness of the point P with respect to a fixed angle of incline of the inspection object W, and conversely, the larger the solid angles, the smaller the amount of change in the brightness of the point P with respect to a fixed angle of incline of the inspection object W. Furthermore, precision detection of a feature point that could not be stably detected up until now is made possible by appropriately setting the shapes, sizes, inclines, and the like of the irradiation solid angle IS and the observation solid angle OS in accordance with a change in light generated at a desired feature point on the inspection object. The present invention focused on this principle, and thus, an inspection lighting device capable of accurately controlling the shape, size, and incline of an irradiation solid angle was conceived.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, assuming that an irradiation solid angle of light irradiated onto an inspection object contains solid angle regions that have different optical attributes and that are radially present around the optical axis of the irradiation light, how the brightness of a point P on the inspection object changes in accordance with the inclusive relation between the solid angle of reflected light that is reflected from the point P and the observation solid angle that is formed at the point P by the imaging device C will be described.

The inside of an irradiation solid angle IS shown in FIG. 11 is formed of solid angle regions IS1, IS2, and IS3 having different optical attributes. At this time, a solid angle RS of reflected light that is reflected from the point P on the inspection object W is the same as the irradiation solid angle IS, the optical axis of the solid angle RS and the optical axis of the irradiation solid angle IS are line symmetrical with respect to a normal line to the point P on the inspection object W, and solid angle regions RS1, RS2, and RS3 are also formed within the solid angle RS of the reflected light, the solid angle regions RS1, RS2, and RS3 corresponding to and having the same optical attributes as the respective solid angle regions IS1, IS2, and IS3, which are formed within the irradiation solid angle and have different optical attributes.

In FIG. 11, for the sake of simplicity, a case in which the observation solid angle OS that is formed at the point P on the inspection object W by the imaging device C has a size that is sufficiently large to capture changes in the solid angle RS of the reflected light and the solid angle regions RS1, RS2, and RS3, which are formed within the solid angle RS of the reflected light and have different optical attributes, is considered. FIG. 11(a) illustrates a case in which the observation solid angle OS is entirely included in the solid angle region RS1. At this time, if the imaging device C is provided with a second filtering means that can selectively detect light rays having different optical properties, the brightness of the point P on the inspection object is a degree of brightness that is expressed by certain proportions of light rays having the optical attributes of the solid angle region RS1, light rays having the optical attributes of the solid angle region RS2, and light rays having the optical attributes of the solid angle region RS3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11(b), a case in which the surface of the prosecution object W is inclined by φ is considered. In this case, the optical axis of the solid angle RS of the reflected light is inclined by 2φ, and the observation solid angle OS is included in the solid angle regions RS1, RS2, and RS3, which have different optical properties, in certain proportions, and the proportions differ from one another regardless of the direction in which the optical axis of the solid angle RS of the reflected light is inclined. At this time, the brightness of the point P on the inspection object is captured as a certain degree of brightness based on the certain proportions of the light rays having the optical attributes of the respective solid angle regions RS1, RS2, and RS3, and therefore, based on a change in the proportions, if the optical axis of the solid angle RS of the reflected light is inclined, both the direction of incline and the degree of incline can be identified regardless of the direction in which the optical axis is inclined.

Now, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that the solid angle regions RS1, RS2, and RS3 having different optical properties shown in FIG. 11 correspond to, for example, red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, and the imaging device C is a color camera. Then, in the case of FIG. 11(a), at the point P on the inspection object W, the red light, the green light, and the blue light are captured in substantially equal proportions in terms of the area, and accordingly, if the red light, the green light, and the blue light have the same intensity, the point P can be seen in white with a certain degree of brightness, while in the case of FIG. 11(b), the point P can be seen in reddish white with a certain degree of brightness. Moreover, when a case in which the incline angle φ of the inspection object W gradually increases is considered, as the incline angle increases, the point P on the inspection object W continuously changes, gradually turning from white to a red tint. Although an irradiation solid angle in which no solid angle regions having different optical attributes are contained provides only contrast information that is determined by the inclusive relation between that irradiation solid angle and an observation solid angle, the present invention not only makes it possible to continuously capture the incline angle φ of the inspection object W within a wider range, but also makes it possible to identify the directionality of the incline.

Next, the half mirror 4 of the present invention is a very thin circular component supported by a substantially square frame. With use of this half mirror 4, a separation portion between the front surfaces, where reflection or transmission occurs, and the back surface of the half mirror 4 can be formed to be very thin, so that ghosts that may be caused by slight refraction, internal reflection, and the like when reflected light from the inspection object W is transmitted through the half mirror 4 can be minimized.

The first shielding mask and the second shielding mask may each be an aperture stop with a plurality of blades, which is a commonly-employed optical material, or may be a combination of a very thin shielding plate having any desired aperture and an aperture stop. Furthermore, a member such as a liquid crystal member in which an aperture can be electronically set may also be used.

Moreover, in another embodiment that is different in terms of the aperture of the first shielding mask, for example, the aperture may be formed into an elliptical shape or an elongated slit-like shape, instead of a circular shape. With this configuration, in detection of a feature point on the inspection object, anisotropy can be imparted to the detection sensitivity. That is to say, at this time, the irradiation solid angle at each point on the inspection object is widened in the same longitudinal direction as the slit of the first shielding mask and is very narrow in the transverse direction. In this case, the detection sensitivity with respect to an incline of the prosecution object in the longitudinal direction is low, and only the detection sensitivity with respect to the transverse direction can be set high. However, in this case, it is necessary to set the shape, size, and incline of the observation solid angle that is formed at each point on the inspection object by the imaging device in accordance with those of the irradiation solid angle with respect to the transverse direction so as to be substantially equal relative to those of the irradiation solid angle. Alternatively, if the size of the observation solid angle that is formed at each point on the inspection object by the imaging device is set to be sufficiently small, a threshold value for the incline to be detected can be set because the irradiation solid angle is widened.

Moreover, in yet another embodiment that is different in terms of the aperture of the first shielding mask, for example, the aperture may include a shielding portion and an aperture that are concentric with each other. With this configuration, if appropriate widths thereof are set, with respect to a partial incline of the inspection object, detection of only a certain incline angle range can be performed. Also, if a required width is set in a required direction, anisotropy can be imparted to the detection angle. Alternatively, if multiple inspection lighting arrangements such as the above-described one are provided, classification and detection can be performed in accordance with the degree of incline of the surface. In addition, if the above-described member such as a liquid crystal member in which an aperture can be electronically set is used as the first shielding mask, a plurality of types of contrast information can be obtained by dynamically switching the patterns of the aperture, making it possible to perform even more detailed classification and detection.

Furthermore, with respect to the first filtering means F1, the wavelength band, the polarization state, the luminance, and the like are conceivable as examples of the different optical attributes. For example, when a light source emitting white light is used as the light source 1, the first filtering means F1 can form any desired solid angle regions constituted by light in different wavelength bands. Thus, light can be irradiated with different patterns and different wavelength bands from any direction in any shape at the same time, and furthermore, under exactly the same conditions at every point within the field-of-view range of the inspection object W. In addition, if a member, such as a color liquid crystal member, in which a pattern, the transmittance, or the like can be electronically set, is used as the first filtering means F1, a plurality of types of contrast information can be obtained by dynamically switching patterns of the filter, so that even more detailed classification and detection can be performed.

Moreover, as a configuration example of the second filter, the second filter may be clearly divided into radial solid angle regions having different optical attributes, or may have gradations such that the optical attributes gradually change from one to another. With this configuration, if, for example, the luminance of reflected light or transmitted light from the inspection object differs depending on the irradiation angle or the observation angle, the luminance can be made uniform, or conversely, the luminance can be varied. For example, it is possible to freely adjust the difference in luminance between light that is directly reflected from the surface of the inspection object W and light from a portion, such as a scratch, that emits scattered light. This can be realized by reducing the light amount in an irradiation solid angle region corresponding to the angular range of light that is directly reflected from the surface of the inspection object W as regularly reflected light, and gradually increasing the light amounts in the other solid angle regions, and furthermore, regardless of the incline direction and the incline angle, the light amounts can be continuously changed in the inclusive relation with the observation solid angle.

A significant effect of the present invention is that, since any desired pattern can be formed by the first shielding mask and the first filtering means, irradiation light can be irradiated with irradiation solid angles of any desired shapes and also with their optical attributes being varied in any desired manner, and therefore, can be irradiated under exactly the same conditions at all positions across the field-of-view range on the inspection object W to be imaged by the imaging device C, and, furthermore, the optical axes and the irradiation solid angles of the irradiated light can be set to be suitable for the optical characteristics of the imaging device. FIG. 12(a) illustrates irradiation solid angles IS and IS′ that are formed at different positions P and P′ on an inspection object W when the inspection object W is irradiated using commonly-employed conventional lighting. It can be seen that the two irradiation solid angles have different shapes and different optical axes. FIG. 12(b) illustrates a mode of irradiation light according to the present invention. The irradiation light can be irradiated under exactly the same conditions at all positions across the entire field-of-view range on the inspection object W. In this manner, a significant effect can be expected to be achieved in particular in a bright field lighting method, in which reflected light or transmitted light returned from the inspection object W is observed. Here, the reflected light refers to regularly reflected light returned from a mirror surface or the like, and the transmitted light refers to regularly transmitted light transmitted through a transparent object. Moreover, in a dark field lighting method as well, in which scattered light is observed, since the scattered light often varies depending on the optical attribute and the irradiation solid angle of irradiated light, the present invention enables detection of a slight change, which has since been unable to be realized by conventional lighting.

FIG. 13 illustrates examples of optional patterns that may be formed by the first shielding mask and the first filtering means, or the third filtering means, and respective resulting shapes of the irradiation solid angle. FIG. 13(a) illustrates an example in which solid angle regions having different optical attributes are formed radially around the optical axis by the first shielding mask and the first filtering means. The example in FIG. 13(b) has an effect of suppressing a change with respect to a certain angular change, and the example in FIG. 13(c) also has a similar effect. Regarding FIG. 13(d), solid angle regions that have different optical attributes are radially arranged, and further solid angle regions that are concentric with those solid angle regions and that have different optical attributes are radially arranged, so that the direction of incline can be identified, and furthermore, the degree of incline can be precisely identified, or even larger incline angles can be captured.

Moreover, since the second shielding mask is imaged onto the inspection object, it is possible to set a specific optical attribute for each irradiation area on the inspection light by providing, in the aperture of the shielding mask, a fourth filtering means that transmits only light having a specific attribute. At this time, if it is unnecessary to set an area that is not irradiated, an irradiation area may be set using only the fourth filtering means, for each specific optical attribute of light transmitted therethrough.

Furthermore, if the above-described member such as a liquid crystal member in which an aperture can be electronically set is used as the second shielding mask, the irradiation area of the inspection light can be changed by dynamically switching the patterns of the aperture, so that even when the inspection object requires different irradiation areas, inspection light can be irradiated in a manner suited to each of those areas, whereby a plurality of types of contrast information can be obtained.

Furthermore, if the surface light source is configured by combining a color liquid crystal or the like that is capable of dynamically changing the emission light wavelength distribution, the luminance distribution, and the polarization state distribution on the irradiating face with a white light source, an even wider variety of inspection objects can be supported.

Aside from the above, various modifications and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. An example thereof is a configuration in which an observation solid angle that is sufficiently small with respect to the solid angle of object light returned from each point on an inspection object is used, and the entire region of an irradiation solid angle is divided into small regions corresponding to the size of this observation solid angle to obtain different optical attributes for required portions, so that only a region of a specific direction of incline and a specific degree of incline, of an inclined surface of the inspection object, can be captured.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   200 Inspection system -   100 Inspection lighting device -   1 Surface light source -   11 Light-emitting face -   2 Lens -   4 Half mirror -   C Imaging device -   L1 Irradiation light path -   L2 Reflection/transmission light path -   M1 First shielding mask (and its shielding portion) -   F1 First filtering means -   F1l Portion of first filtering means that transmits light having     certain optical attribute 1 -   F12 Portion of first filtering means that transmits light having     certain optical attribute 2 -   F13 Portion of first filtering means that transmits light having     certain optical attribute 3 -   F2 Second filtering means -   F3 Third filtering means -   F4 Fourth filtering means -   M2 Second shielding mask -   W Inspection object -   P Certain point on inspection object W -   P′ Another point on inspection object W -   P1 Object-side focus of lens 2 -   P2 Point having the same distance as P1 from lens 2 -   P3 Point having the same distance as P1 from lens 2 -   P4 Arbitrary point farther away than object-side focus from lens 2 -   P5 Arbitrary point farther away than object-side focus from lens 2 -   IS Irradiation solid angle -   IS′ Another irradiation solid angle -   IS1 Solid angle region 1 having specific optical attribute within     irradiation solid angle -   IS2 Solid angle region 2 having specific optical attribute within     irradiation solid angle -   IS3 Solid angle region 3 having specific optical attribute within     irradiation solid angle -   OS Observation solid angle -   RS Solid angle of reflected light -   RS′ Solid angle of reflected light -   RS1 Solid angle region 1 having specific optical attribute within     solid angle of reflected light -   RS2 Solid angle region 2 having specific optical attribute within     solid angle of reflected light -   RS3 Solid angle region 3 having specific optical attribute within     solid angle of reflected light -   TS Solid angle of transmitted light -   FIG. 1 -   *1 Outer housing of inspection lighting device is schematically     indicated by dotted lines. -   *2 First shielding mask M1 denotes mask of shielding portion, F1     denotes portion, within aperture, that transmits only light having     specific wavelength band or polarization or that has specific     transmittance, and F3 denotes irradiation solid angle forming means     as a whole that integrates both. (see FIG. 4) -   FIG. 2 -   *1 Half mirror 4, imaging device C, inspection object W, and light     path in the case where half mirror is provided are indicated by     dashed lines. -   *2 First shielding mask M1 denotes mask of shielding portion, F1     denotes portion, within aperture, that transmits only light having     specific wavelength band or polarization or that has specific     transmittance, and F3 denotes irradiation solid angle forming means     as a whole that integrates both. (see FIG. 4) -   FIG. 3 -   * First shielding mask M1 denotes mask of shielding portion, F1     denotes portion, within aperture, that transmits only light having     specific wavelength band or polarization or that has specific     transmittance, and F3 denotes irradiation solid angle forming means     as a whole that integrates both. (see FIG. 4) -   FIG. 4 -   M1: Shielding portion -   F13, F12, F11: Portions that each transmit only light having     specific wavelength band or polarization or that each have specific     transmittance -   * First shielding mask M1 denotes mask of shielding portion, first     filtering means F1 denotes portion, within aperture, that transmits     only light having specific wavelength band or polarization or that     has specific transmittance, and third filtering means F3 denotes     irradiation solid angle forming means as a whole that integrates     both. -   * Except for first shielding mask, M1 of shielding portion may also     function as portion that transmits only light having specific     wavelength band or polarization or that has specific transmittance. -   FIG. 5 -   * Half mirror 4, imaging device C, inspection object W, and light     path in the case where half mirror is provided are indicated by     dashed lines, and observation solid angles are indicated by thick     solid lines in either case. -   FIG. 6 -   Focus position of lens 2 -   * Half mirror 4, imaging device C, inspection object W, and light     path in the case where half mirror is provided are indicated by     dashed lines, and observation solid angles are indicated by thick     solid lines in either case. -   FIG. 7 -   Focus position of lens 2 -   *1 Half mirror 4, imaging device C, inspection object W, and light     path in the case where half mirror is provided are indicated by     dashed lines. -   *2 The distinction among M1, F1, and F3 is as follows: M1 denotes     aperture in the diagram when regarded as aperture of shielding mask,     F1 denotes aperture in the diagram when regarded as portion for     specific wavelength band or polarization or having specific     transmittance, and F3 denotes irradiation solid angle forming means     as a whole that integrates both. (see FIG. 4) -   *3 The distinction between M2 and F4 is as follows: M2 denotes     aperture in the diagram when regarded as aperture of shielding mask,     and F4 denotes aperture in the diagram when regarded as portion for     specific wavelength band or polarization or having specific     transmittance. -   FIG. 8 -   Focus position of lens 2 -   (a) When distance between inspection object and inspection lighting     device is large Focus position of lens 2 -   (b) When distance between inspection object and inspection lighting     device is small -   * Half mirror 4, imaging device C, inspection object W, and light     path in the case where half mirror is provided are indicated by     dashed lines. -   FIG. 9 -   Focus position of lens 2 -   (a) When first shielding mask is extremely small transmitting     portion and is located in the vicinity of focus position -   Focus position of lens 2 -   (b) When first shielding mask has a certain size and is located     nearer to lens than focus position -   Focus position of lens 2 -   (c) When first shielding mask has a certain size and is located     nearer to light source surface than focus position -   *1 P1, P2, P3: Object-side focus position of lens 2 -   *2 P4, P5: Arbitrary point farther away than object-side P1 from     lens 2 -   *3 Half plane angle of irradiation solid angle -   FIG. 10 -   (a) Change in solid angle of reflected light due to partial incline     of inspection object -   (b) Change in solid angle of reflected light and change in inclusive     relation between solid angle of reflected light and observation     solid angle -   FIG. 11 -   (a) When inspection surface is planar, optical axis of reflected     light and optical axis of observation solid angle coincide with each     other. -   (b) When inspection surface is inclined, optical axis of reflected     light is shifted from optical axis of observation solid angle. -   FIG. 12 -   (a) Conventional lighting -   (b) Lighting of the present invention -   FIG. 13 -   Shielding portion M1 (Specific optical attribute may be provided by     F1 or F3.) -   Region IS1 having specific optical attribute -   Region IS2 having specific optical attribute -   Region IS3 having specific optical attribute -   Region IS12 having specific optical attribute -   Region IS22 having specific optical attribute -   Region IS32 having specific optical attribute -   Aperture that transmits light -   (Specific optical attribute may be provided by F1 or F3.) 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. An inspection system comprising: an inspection lighting device configured to irradiate inspection light onto an inspection object, the inspection lighting device being able to be set such that an irradiation solid angle of the inspection light irradiated onto each point on the inspection object has a plurality of solid angle regions having different optical attributes, the plurality of solid angle regions being radially arranged around an optical axis of the irradiation solid angle and being adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction; and an imaging device configured to image object light reflected, transmitted, or scattered by each point on the inspection object, the imaging device being capable of selectively imaging different optical attributes of the object light, wherein the inspection system can specify three-dimensional characteristics of a surface of the inspection object by detecting, at each point on the inspection object, a change in an optical axis of the object light, or a change in a solid angle of the object light relative to an observation solid angle that is formed at that point on the inspection object by the imaging device, in an inclusive relation with the observation solid angle, as changes in the object light having the plurality of optical attributes resulting from the plurality of solid angle regions of the inspection light, and specifying incline directions and incline angles of inclines in a plurality of directions at each point on the inspection object based on the amounts of the changes in the object light detected respectively with respect to the plurality of optical attributes.
 8. The inspection system according to claim 7, further comprising: a half mirror configured to change an irradiation direction of the inspection light and to transmit light from the inspection object so that the light can be imaged by the imaging device, wherein optical axes of the solid angle regions of the irradiation solid angle of the inspection light at each point on the inspection object substantially coincide with an optical axis of the observation solid angle of the imaging device at that point on the inspection object.
 9. The inspection system according to claim 7, wherein, in the irradiation solid angle of the inspection light irradiated onto the inspection object by the inspection lighting device, based on a shape, size, and incline of the observation solid angle of the imaging device at each point on the inspection object, shapes, sizes, and inclines of the solid angle regions at that point on the inspection object are set to be suitable to obtain desired gradation information, or the shapes, sizes, and inclines of the solid angle regions and the observation solid angle are set to be substantially uniform relative to each other.
 10. The inspection system according to claim 7, wherein the observation solid angle at each point on the inspection object is set to be smaller than the irradiation solid angle, and in order that, when the incline of the optical axis of the object light returned from each point on the inspection object changes, the change can be detected as changes in the object light having the plurality of optical attributes, the plurality of solid angle regions that are formed within the irradiation solid angle and that have different optical attributes substantially continuously change from one to another.
 11. A method of inspection, wherein a three-dimensional shape of the inspection object is specified based on changes in the plurality of optical attributes of the object light using the inspection system according to claim
 7. 12. The inspection system according to claim 8, wherein, in the irradiation solid angle of the inspection light irradiated onto the inspection object by the inspection lighting device, based on a shape, size, and incline of the observation solid angle of the imaging device at each point on the inspection object, shapes, sizes, and inclines of the solid angle regions at that point on the inspection object are set to be suitable to obtain desired gradation information, or the shapes, sizes, and inclines of the solid angle regions and the observation solid angle are set to be substantially uniform relative to each other.
 13. A method of inspection, wherein a three-dimensional shape of the inspection object is specified based on changes in the plurality of optical attributes of the object light using the inspection system according to claim
 8. 14. A method of inspection, wherein a three-dimensional shape of the inspection object is specified based on changes in the plurality of optical attributes of the object light using the inspection system according to claim
 9. 15. A method of inspection, wherein a three-dimensional shape of the inspection object is specified based on changes in the plurality of optical attributes of the object light using the inspection system according to claim
 10. 